RE: Can a Bank Check be Copyrighted?

["kao lu" <kaohlu@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Dear Ms. Marston:

 

Although I am an attorney, the following personal opinion is not my legal
advoice but for discussion only.

Yes, the check itself may be a standard form document; however, if the
letter refers to the check, then I will consider the check is an
integrated part of the letter.  If the letter is still under the
copyright protection, then the check is under copyright protection
because of the letter.

 

Kao

Kao H. Lu686 Lawson AveHavertown, PA 19083USA610-446-5886 Fax:
610-446-8841 CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE
THIS ELECTRONIC MAIL TRANSMISSION IS PRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL AND IS
INTENDED ONLY FOR THE REVIEW OF THE PARTY TO WHOM IT IS ADDRESSED. IF YOU
HAVE RECEIVED THIS TRANSMISSION IN ERROR, PLEASE IMMEDIATELY RETURN IT TO
THE SENDER. UNINTENDED TRANSMISSION SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE WAIVER OF THE
ATTORNEY-CLIENT OR ANY OTHER PRIVILEGE.

  --------------------------------------------------------------------

  From: "Cindy Marston" <Cindy.Marston@xxxxxxxx>
  To: <digital-copyright@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  Subject: Can a Bank Check be Copyrighted?
  Date: Thu, 15 Mar 2007 16:29:35 -0500
  >In 1981, our school museum received from an estate a donation of a
  >painting, "Off to a Hunt" by Oscar E. Berninghaus. Along with the
  >painting, we received documentation of the provenance of the
  painting
  >that includes a 1929 check written to the artist and a return letter
  by
  >the artist. This check and letter document provenance of a valuable
  >piece of artwork by a well-known artist, and it is the only
  >documentation for the provenance. The artist's signature is on the
  back
  >of the check. The letter is in the artist's own hand.
  >
  >
  >
  >A student asked to copy the check and letter for a research paper
  she
  >was writing. We are assuming that the letter is protected by
  copyright
  >because it is an original work. But is a check protected by
  copyright?
  >If so, who is the copyright holder and how does one get permission
  to
  >copy it?
  >
  >
  >
  >While we could allow the student to copy the material for their own
  >research under the Fair Use provision, it is still Fair Use to allow
  >that student to include the copy in a paper?
  >
  >Thank you for any information you can provide.
  >
  >
  >Cindy Marston
  >Academic Technology Coordinator
  >The Principia
  >13201 Clayton Road
  >St. Louis, MO 63131
  >314-514-3137